Chewing Braaiiinns with… Franklin E. Wales

Today my guest is Franklin E. Wales, author of Zombie fiction. For those of you unaware of who Franklin is, let’s take a quick moment to get acquainted with him.

The author of six novels and numerous shorter works of fiction and nonfiction, Frank prefers the title of Storyteller to Novelist or Journalist. “It’s a time honored tradition passed down through our parents and our grandparents,” he says. “No matter what I am writing, it is my goal to entertain you with the story I’m telling.”

Born and raised in Conway, NH, Frank now lives with his beautiful photographer and novelist wife, Jacki, in the South Florida home they share with their dog named Boo and a cat named Oz (as in Wizard of).

Welcome Franklin, tell us: why Zombies? Is there anything specific that draws you to the genre?

Forget all that mumbo jumbo about the zombie gene representing a deeper look at Society’s blah blah blah. The Undead are just Fun.

Tell us about your latest project; published or otherwise.

I’ve got a Lycanthropy novel coming out in the spring. In the meantime my zombie novel Deadheads: Evolution seems to be taking a life of its own. Book sales, Kindle sales even the audio sales are kicking the hell out of all my other work. You can find all three editions on Amazon. I have recently entered negotiations with Stained Vision Pictures in association with New Logic Entertainment to bring the book to the screen. I’ve signed on as scriptwriter for the duration of the project. I’m pretty excited to be working with these guys. They seem to have their ducks in a row, and actually value the author’s input. If all goes well shooting will begin Spring 2013 in the Miami, Florida area.

Let’s take a moment to delve into Deadheads: Evolution…

It’s been two and a half years since the Deadhead Virus was let loose, raising the dead to walk the earth in search of human flesh. Now, as the remnants of humanity try to rebuild in the land of the living dead, legends are whispered of a warrior, part human, part Deadhead, who walks the line between both worlds. Gage Owens longs for the day when humans are once again at the top of the food chain. Lately he has noticed a disturbing trend: the Deadhead race is evolving…

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That’s fantastic news, Franklin. Congratulations! Give us a clue as to what makes your Zombies different, if anything?

My story picks up two and a half years after the virus. In that time civilization has been trying to rebuild while the Deadhead race has begun to Evolve. They have begun to understand that we are their food source.

So Franklin, what are your 5 favourite Zombie books that you didn’t write?

The first Zombie novel I ever read was the novelization of Night Of The Living Dead. I actually hadn’t had the chance to see the film in the pre video days and living in a small town, it was the only way to get the story. I’m also a big fan of I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. I know they are supposed to be Vampires, but it’s really a Zombie tale to me. I like anything by Eric S Brown. He has a fun way of bringing Zombies into everything he writes. I’ve also just discovered Dane T Hatchell’s Resurrection X: Zombie Evolution, a new novelist I’m now following. Currently I’m digging Days With The Undead: Book One by Julianne Snow!

Wow, what a great compliment! Thank you! Let’s move onto to movies: what are your top 3 favourite Zombie films?

Only 3? Okay how about Lucio Fulci’ Zombie, Michele Soavi’s Cemetery Man and The Last Man On Earth with Vincent Price.

Ooh, you went old school! Nice! Now let me ask you this – do you think the popularity of The Walking Dead and its appearance in mainstream media has helped to increase the popularity of the genre, or has there always been such an interest?

It has brought the Undead into America’s living rooms, and thus making our work more acceptable to people who thought zombies were not entertaining enough for them.

Pop Quiz: If the Zombie Apocalypse were to occur right now, 5 things found in the room you are currently sitting will be your weapons – what are they?

I’m in my office at the moment so supplies are limited. I guess the claw hammer would help, I have a half dozen pairs of scissors here, though I don’t know why so many, I have an old fashioned letter opener that was my Grandmothers, 32 Soft Feel BIC pens…Looks like it’s all up close battle stuff I guess. I could splash some Southern Comfort on them and light them on fire, but that would just be a waste of good alcohol. Guess I’d just start in on the Southern Comfort myself and see what happens!

You may well survive, just don’t imbibe too much! You’ll want your reflexes sharp! Thank you Franklin for taking the time to answer my questions. If you’d like to connect with Franklin, you can find him on his website or pick up some of his works via his Amazon Author Page.

Join my next week when my guest will be an author and poet that goes by the name of TL Decay!